Facing eviction
August 17, 2011
Just a few weeks ago, police tried to force 40-year-old Pati from her home. They were confronted by a dozen youths who had come to support Pati and protect the apartment. Outnumbered, the police were forced to give in and the eviction was temporarily prevented.
Pati, who wished to reveal only her first name, moved to Majorca from Nigeria with her husband 14 years ago. The couple now have three children, the youngest is still an infant. The story behind her struggle to pay the mortgage is a common one.
"My husband has been out of work for four years and is no longer entitled to unemployment benefits. I've also lost my job and we found we were unable to pay off the mortgage for our home," she said.
After a few months, Pati went to the bank to try and find a solution. Although the mortgage for her home was almost entirely paid off, she found that her account had been closed and her case was with a lawyer. Numerous attempts at contacting the lawyer were unsuccessful.
Helping hand
Pati often goes to the Majorcan office of the Spanish May 15 protest movement - named after the date mass protests began in Spain earlier this year. The movement comprises mostly young people who protest against high unemployment and corrupt politicians, and demand what they call "real democracy."
In the last few months, forced evictions have become a part of everyday life in Spain. The May 15 protest movement views this as a violation of fundamental human rights which must be prevented.
They have therefore founded their own initiative known as the Platform for Mortgage Victims, to combat repossessions. Nationwide they have already prevented the seizure of 70 homes, albeit temporarily.
Pati and her family have decided to avoid further conflict and move out of their home and into rented accommodation.
"But there is no electricity or running water, it's an extremely old house," said Pati. "The biggest problem is the lack of running water - I have a three-month old child," she added.
To avoid further trouble Pati has decided to solve the problem independently of the authorities. She has instead turned to Platform for Mortgage Victims and 20-year-old activist Daniel, who has promised to help her with her plumbing. Since being involved in the protest movement, he has found that his services are in high demand.
"At the moment we are taking a look at all the empty houses and apartments and making repairs so they are livable again," said Daniel. "All those who are currently living in appalling conditions can then move in there," he added.
Reforming mortgage law
The mortgage victims' platform is calling for a change to the mortgage law. They believe that anybody who has lost their home to the banks should be free of their mortgage. As yet, this isn't the case.
The banks who acquire the property only take on a certain percentage of the original purchase price. Sometimes that can be 60 percent, sometimes 80 percent, depending on the value of the property ascertained by a surveyor working for the bank. The indebted buyer then still owes the bank the remaining amount. Frequently, buyers remain in debt for the rest of their lives.
Having almost entirely paid off her mortgage Pati, at least, doesn't have to face this problem. She may even get some of her money back.
Feeling cheated
Pati and her husband quickly found work when they first came to Spain. He worked in the construction industry and she worked in catering. But after seeking advice from a mortgage broker, the couple decided to take on a mortgage despite only having a small income and no savings.
"When you go to a broker's office and they say to you it's better to buy a home, you pay a fixed amount every month and soon you own it, then you think 'yes, that's better.' But they were just trying to make money," she said. "The brokerage firms are all working with the banks."
Pati was poorly informed. She didn't know that they would lose their home if they couldn't pay the rent for a few months and she had not thought that it would become so difficult to find work.
Nevertheless she and her family want to stay in Spain and somehow survive the economic crisis. Sadly, others are not so confident. Increasingly, people who lose their homes are opting to leave the country and try their luck abroad.
Author: Stephanie Eichler / ccp
Editor: Susan Houlton